Print
E-mail
Comment
Rate
Hamilton council meetings to have tighter security with metal detector
By Cindy Iutzi/Gate City Staff Writer
HAMILTON, Ill. - The next Hamilton City Council meeting will begin an era of metal-free attendance for city council members and citizens alike.
Council members unanimously approved the second and third readings of a security ordinance Tuesday that requires all who attend city council meetings to pass through a stationary metal detector and possibly be wanded and/or patted down by a police officer.
“We'll have a practice run next meeting,” said Health and Safety Committee Chair Debbie Summers.
The new law will be in effect at the Oct. 15 meeting.
Hamilton Mayor Stephen Woodruff believes the city is being proactive in its decision to implement tighter security at meetings.
“I like to think we're ahead of the curve,” Woodruff said. “We need to be ahead of the curve. I think this was a good step. We were the first in the area to have tasers, we've had state-of-the-art cameras in the patrol cars and were the first with laptops in cars. This is one of the things that makes Hamilton unique.”
The security ordinance prohibits people from entering City Hall with the following items: “a gun or firearm of any type; any knife with a blade longer than two inches; any drug, controlled substance ... or any drug-related material or contraband; no device or instrument that can be used as weapon, excluding those items to assist with a handicap accessibility.”
Purses, brief cases and other containers, including pockets, as well as electronics are subject to search for unauthorized items.
If illegal items are found, the person can be arrested.
Legal items prohibited by the ordinance can be removed from the building by the owner or “retained by the screener for safe-keeping and will be returned to the owner” as they leave.
Entry to City Hall for any public meeting will be through the police station. Council chambers will be open 45 minutes before a meeting begins.
Handicapped people also are subject to scrutiny, but in some instances the metal detecting wand will be used rather than the stationary unit.
Council members decisively rejected the second reading of a golf cart ordinance on a 6-1 vote Tuesday. Summers cast the lone vote in favor of the measure.
The ordinance would have allowed properly outfitted golf carts to be used on designated Hamilton streets. Several golf cart owners have asked to cut gasoline expenses by puttering around town in carts rather than cars.
Minimum golf cart requirements included: brakes, steering apparatus, tires, rearview mirror, red reflector warning devices front and rear, slow moving vehicle emblem on the rear, a white light headlight with an illumination distance of 500 feet, a red tail light visible at 100 feet, brake lights and turn signals.
Discussions Tuesday about license plates, the need for city stickers or registration and accompanying fees, insurance, possibly seat belts and other unanswered questions turned the mood negative.
The city council also approved all three readings of an ordinance outlining a mutual aid agreement between Hamilton, Warsaw, Carthage and Nauvoo police departments.
The ordinance will go into effect only after each of the other departments approve the measure.
Once the law goes into effect, Hamilton officers will be able to help other departments during emergencies and for help with other personnel matters, such as crowd control during major sporting events.
“We've always worked together,” Woodruff said. “We saw it this year when it took five men to arrest one man.”
A Warsaw officer, a part-time officer and a sheriff's deputy helped Hamilton police officers make the arrest. One Hamilton officer was injured during the incident.
The ordinance does not oblige Hamilton or any other city to send aid and is “subject to the sole discretion of the responding city, considering the circumstances of the situation and the need for officers to remain on duty in the responding city.”
Council members unanimously approved the second and third readings of a security ordinance Tuesday that requires all who attend city council meetings to pass through a stationary metal detector and possibly be wanded and/or patted down by a police officer.
“We'll have a practice run next meeting,” said Health and Safety Committee Chair Debbie Summers.
The new law will be in effect at the Oct. 15 meeting.
Hamilton Mayor Stephen Woodruff believes the city is being proactive in its decision to implement tighter security at meetings.
“I like to think we're ahead of the curve,” Woodruff said. “We need to be ahead of the curve. I think this was a good step. We were the first in the area to have tasers, we've had state-of-the-art cameras in the patrol cars and were the first with laptops in cars. This is one of the things that makes Hamilton unique.”
ADVERTISEMENT |
Purses, brief cases and other containers, including pockets, as well as electronics are subject to search for unauthorized items.
If illegal items are found, the person can be arrested.
Legal items prohibited by the ordinance can be removed from the building by the owner or “retained by the screener for safe-keeping and will be returned to the owner” as they leave.
Entry to City Hall for any public meeting will be through the police station. Council chambers will be open 45 minutes before a meeting begins.
Handicapped people also are subject to scrutiny, but in some instances the metal detecting wand will be used rather than the stationary unit.
Council members decisively rejected the second reading of a golf cart ordinance on a 6-1 vote Tuesday. Summers cast the lone vote in favor of the measure.
The ordinance would have allowed properly outfitted golf carts to be used on designated Hamilton streets. Several golf cart owners have asked to cut gasoline expenses by puttering around town in carts rather than cars.
Minimum golf cart requirements included: brakes, steering apparatus, tires, rearview mirror, red reflector warning devices front and rear, slow moving vehicle emblem on the rear, a white light headlight with an illumination distance of 500 feet, a red tail light visible at 100 feet, brake lights and turn signals.
Discussions Tuesday about license plates, the need for city stickers or registration and accompanying fees, insurance, possibly seat belts and other unanswered questions turned the mood negative.
The city council also approved all three readings of an ordinance outlining a mutual aid agreement between Hamilton, Warsaw, Carthage and Nauvoo police departments.
The ordinance will go into effect only after each of the other departments approve the measure.
Once the law goes into effect, Hamilton officers will be able to help other departments during emergencies and for help with other personnel matters, such as crowd control during major sporting events.
“We've always worked together,” Woodruff said. “We saw it this year when it took five men to arrest one man.”
A Warsaw officer, a part-time officer and a sheriff's deputy helped Hamilton police officers make the arrest. One Hamilton officer was injured during the incident.
The ordinance does not oblige Hamilton or any other city to send aid and is “subject to the sole discretion of the responding city, considering the circumstances of the situation and the need for officers to remain on duty in the responding city.”
 |
 |
|
| Pflug to run for supervisor again | Citywide boil order in Hamilton, Elvaston, Ill. |
Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of dailygate.com.
Please wrote on Sep 7, 2008 11:26 AM:
" Tower Road Questions
Your # 9 is the most stupidest thing I have ever heard. Are you concerned about the roads safety now? I know there is a lady with a Home Daycare on that road what about the safety of those family's taking their children to her. We all know how cars just are found in lakes in the winter. Happens all the time, right? and only in the winter months. Maybe if that road is so unsafe it should be looked into now regardless if Tower Road is closed or not. I mean we want all the people who live on that road to be safe.Don't we? "
Your # 9 is the most stupidest thing I have ever heard. Are you concerned about the roads safety now? I know there is a lady with a Home Daycare on that road what about the safety of those family's taking their children to her. We all know how cars just are found in lakes in the winter. Happens all the time, right? and only in the winter months. Maybe if that road is so unsafe it should be looked into now regardless if Tower Road is closed or not. I mean we want all the people who live on that road to be safe.Don't we? "
RW wrote on Sep 6, 2008 7:40 AM:
" I personally own a golf cart and used it to travel daily to and from work. I went 3 months on about 2.5 gallons of gas. Obviously if I had driven my car I would have been out alot of money. I am pretty disappointed that the City Council voted against the second reading. Does this mean there will be a 3rd reading or is a closed subject? I am missed this meeting, wish I would have been there to voice my opinion. Not that it would have changed anything. I understand there are alot of things to consider, but I would to agree with "Golf Cart" about other cities allowing them. I am sure we could talk to them and get an idea of what laws need to be in place and what kind of problems they have had. I had an official tell me there was no way this would ever pass... I am guessing he knows what he talking about. Ohhh... by the way, anyone interested in a golf cart? "
KB wrote on Sep 5, 2008 7:12 AM:
" Here’s what I know:
1) No one knows. Tower Road, just like many county/township roads was never platted, never recorded at the county courthouse. Back in the day, when a road was approved, the adjacent landowners would each own to the midpoint of the road, even though maintenance of the road was a county/township responsibility. My best guess, Miller’s own the road in front of their locations.
2) The city has no say in it. It’s a township road.
3) Private industry would want the road closed to be able to mine straight across from one property to another without interruption by a road. For safety reasons, I don’t feel the road should exist with 300 foot drops on both sides of it. Especially if there are 2,500 – 3,000 vehicles passing it daily, including tour buses and semis.
4) Only a traffic count has been completed on tower road. To my knowledge, no other studies have been completed. While impact studies will delay the inevitable, at some time, it’s going to be Montebello township that says abandon or do not abandon Tower Road. If the vote is ‘do not abandon’, it could wind up in court, costing more money to the people.
5) Environmental? Like we’re only going to allow electric cars on the roads? Not a player in this decision.
6) Going through Hamilton is an approved route around 760E. 760E is not a player in the decision. If it’s not approved for large vehicles, it is a matter of policing the road to ensure only smaller vehicles travel it.
7) Again, the subject is not Windy Hills road. It’s Tower Road.
8) Either improvements will not be made, or you and I will pay for them. It’s no different than any other road.
9) Pessimism and sarcasm are the soup of the day in our area. It in no way plays in this decision.
While your points may be valid, on the topic, and important to you, the place to filibuster this decision isn’t on a message board, it’s in front of the Montebello Township Board and/or the Hancock County Board. Go to a meeting, make your voice heard. "
1) No one knows. Tower Road, just like many county/township roads was never platted, never recorded at the county courthouse. Back in the day, when a road was approved, the adjacent landowners would each own to the midpoint of the road, even though maintenance of the road was a county/township responsibility. My best guess, Miller’s own the road in front of their locations.
2) The city has no say in it. It’s a township road.
3) Private industry would want the road closed to be able to mine straight across from one property to another without interruption by a road. For safety reasons, I don’t feel the road should exist with 300 foot drops on both sides of it. Especially if there are 2,500 – 3,000 vehicles passing it daily, including tour buses and semis.
4) Only a traffic count has been completed on tower road. To my knowledge, no other studies have been completed. While impact studies will delay the inevitable, at some time, it’s going to be Montebello township that says abandon or do not abandon Tower Road. If the vote is ‘do not abandon’, it could wind up in court, costing more money to the people.
5) Environmental? Like we’re only going to allow electric cars on the roads? Not a player in this decision.
6) Going through Hamilton is an approved route around 760E. 760E is not a player in the decision. If it’s not approved for large vehicles, it is a matter of policing the road to ensure only smaller vehicles travel it.
7) Again, the subject is not Windy Hills road. It’s Tower Road.
8) Either improvements will not be made, or you and I will pay for them. It’s no different than any other road.
9) Pessimism and sarcasm are the soup of the day in our area. It in no way plays in this decision.
While your points may be valid, on the topic, and important to you, the place to filibuster this decision isn’t on a message board, it’s in front of the Montebello Township Board and/or the Hancock County Board. Go to a meeting, make your voice heard. "
Tower Road questions wrote on Sep 4, 2008 1:10 PM:
" I would like to raise several questions concerning the closure of Tower Road:
1. Ownership of the road. Who really owns the roadway? is it a public right of way or private property. What laws impact the abandonment of the roadway?
2. How can the City justify closing a public right-of-way for the financial benefit of a private firm?
3. Why is there a need to close the road. Miller can successfully operate the new quarry without closing the road by utilizing either an overhead conveyor system or an underground conveyor. He currently utilizes a conveyor to cross Warsaw Road without impacting traffic.
4. Has a traffic impact study been completed? What does the study indicate the impacts will be to the surrounding roadways.
5. If the impact study indicates increased traffic loads on County Road 760E/Windy Hills Road, has a environmental impact study been completed?
6. County Road 760E is a semi improved rural road that is not engineered or constructed to be able to handle the increased traffic index/load or truck traffic. the roadway has two (2) stream crossings that are impassable during high water periods.
7. Windy Hills road is also a rural road with a limited load rating and traffic index. Increased traffic will cause a sever acceleration of pavement failure. The roadway also has several very tight corners and step slope near the east end approaching Warsaw Road. This section of the road is very dangerous during periods of rain, snow and ice.
8. Who is going to pay for the required studies, design and construction of the improvements needed to place additional traffic on our road?
9. As the home owner that has the property at the location where ECR 760 ends and there are two 90 degree turns, I am very concerned about traffic safety, especially in the winter months, as traffic currently travels at very high rates of speed. I am concerned that one morning in the middle of winter I will find a car upside down in my pond. "
1. Ownership of the road. Who really owns the roadway? is it a public right of way or private property. What laws impact the abandonment of the roadway?
2. How can the City justify closing a public right-of-way for the financial benefit of a private firm?
3. Why is there a need to close the road. Miller can successfully operate the new quarry without closing the road by utilizing either an overhead conveyor system or an underground conveyor. He currently utilizes a conveyor to cross Warsaw Road without impacting traffic.
4. Has a traffic impact study been completed? What does the study indicate the impacts will be to the surrounding roadways.
5. If the impact study indicates increased traffic loads on County Road 760E/Windy Hills Road, has a environmental impact study been completed?
6. County Road 760E is a semi improved rural road that is not engineered or constructed to be able to handle the increased traffic index/load or truck traffic. the roadway has two (2) stream crossings that are impassable during high water periods.
7. Windy Hills road is also a rural road with a limited load rating and traffic index. Increased traffic will cause a sever acceleration of pavement failure. The roadway also has several very tight corners and step slope near the east end approaching Warsaw Road. This section of the road is very dangerous during periods of rain, snow and ice.
8. Who is going to pay for the required studies, design and construction of the improvements needed to place additional traffic on our road?
9. As the home owner that has the property at the location where ECR 760 ends and there are two 90 degree turns, I am very concerned about traffic safety, especially in the winter months, as traffic currently travels at very high rates of speed. I am concerned that one morning in the middle of winter I will find a car upside down in my pond. "
Who would want to live in Hamilton wrote on Sep 4, 2008 8:49 AM:
" Anyone ever wonder why so many house are up for sale in Hamilton? People want out of here! From the pity little laws to the school system. Where does all the tax money go? The City Council keeps voting no on every issue and getting paid for doing it and that's all they have to do. Why should any of them look into anything, that might take some effort. Hamilton has got to be one of the worse places to life and raise a family. "
Hamilton Resident wrote on Sep 3, 2008 10:20 PM:
" Not allowing the community vehicles is wrong. A golf cart can save a lot of money and if laws are obeyed, then there should be no reason that this wasn't passed. I am sorry, but I think Hamilton needs to pull their head out of the sand rethink this one. "
GOLF CART wrote on Sep 3, 2008 10:16 PM:
" "turned the mood negative"..." turned the mood negative"?!?!?! We are talking about golf carts here people. What happened to Hamilton getting a 6 month trial period? Shouldn't we atleast get a chance to prove ourselves. Instead of listing all the negatives, can't you find the positives? NO, ofcourse our Hamilton City Council can't.. because it doesn't effect any of them personally except one, and that one voted YES! Thank you Debbie for having a voice.
This is just silly. Keokuk allows them. Quincy allows them. many of our smaller towns allow them, but not Hamilton. Even though the State says we have the right to use these vehicles, our governing city says no because they are worried they will have to babysit this project. What other reason is there? Sure, there is going be some jerk that has break a rule, but don't punish the whole town speculating what that person may or may not do.
It is pretty bad when an adult can't drive a 4 wheel golf cart with all its safety features, but a child can ride an electric scooter all over town. "
This is just silly. Keokuk allows them. Quincy allows them. many of our smaller towns allow them, but not Hamilton. Even though the State says we have the right to use these vehicles, our governing city says no because they are worried they will have to babysit this project. What other reason is there? Sure, there is going be some jerk that has break a rule, but don't punish the whole town speculating what that person may or may not do.
It is pretty bad when an adult can't drive a 4 wheel golf cart with all its safety features, but a child can ride an electric scooter all over town. "
| Please log in or create an account by filling out the form on the right. | |
wow wrote on Sep 11, 2008 11:48 AM:
You guys can waste your time and go to all the meetings you want. However, in the end, what's best for Millers will be what is done. See, if you have enough money and pretty much own the town you can do whatever you damn well please. So unless you are one of the 4 big names in this town (I won't say who, evidently, the DGC, doesn't like to bite the hand that feeds them and has requested you do not use names in your posts) what you want is ignored! As I am sure it is that way in most towns. Gotta love the government! "